STUDIES ON THE RESPONSE TO ACUTE ALTITUDE EXPOSURE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF EARLY DETECTION OF HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY EDEMA
Abstract
The pathogenesis of acute pulmonary edema of high altitude remains unknown. The present study eas designed to evaluate the baseline and acute cardiorespiratory acclimation data of a group of young males selected to construct and maintain a scientific station on the Antarctic Plateau (pressure altitude 13,500 feet). Should serious altitude sickness or pulmonary edema develop in any of these subjects, it might be possible to determine which investigations, if any, could be used to screen potentially susceptible subjects and to identify avenues for more extensive studies. The baseline studies revealed the subjects to be in good health. The acute cardiorespiratory changes, both in the altitude chamber at 14,000 feet after 36 hours and following return to sea level, were similar to those described by other authors. No evidence of overt or insipient pulmonary edema was detected. However, there was an unexpectedly high incidence of protracted nausea and vomiting, necessitating the removal of two of the subjects from the chamber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0639467
Entities
People
- Ashton Graybiel
- E. P. Beck
- Hugh S. Pratt
- Leroy S. Wirthlin
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Institute